In the last lap, a Commonwealth subsidy scramble

The Union Finance Ministry is not amused by the clamour for Commonwealth subsidies barely a fortnight before the inauguration of the Games.

The Archaeological Survey of India wants to give free entry to athletes and delegates to heritage sites including the Taj in Agra and Qutub Minar in Delhi. And the Sports Ministry has unilaterally announced the doubling of prize money for medal winners.

"These proposals should have been discussed over the last four years; not sprung upon us at this stage," a Finance Ministry official told The Indian Express.

On the ASI proposal, the official said giving free entry to heritage sites would defeat the Games' purpose of promoting tourism.

On the Sports Ministry's announcement to double the cash incentive for gold medalists to Rs 20 lakh, the official said, "The Games budget will not permit this. We will have to decide on the allocation now."

The proposals do not include concrete estimates of the funds required. The Ministry has pointed out these would entail additional spending on the Games which have overshot its Budget.

The Ministry is already worried that it may have to convert the Rs 2,500-crore loan given to the Organising Committee into grant if not enough revenue is generated through sponsorships and TV rights.

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